The Times Advocate, 2008-09-17, Page 1TIMES ADVOCATE
Exeter, Ontario, Canada Wednesday, September 17, 2008 $1.25 (includes GST)
IN EXETER SEPT. 26-28 (SEEMOREINSIDE)
• Fri., Octoberfest • Sat., Community Market
un., Community Service & Fish Fry Dinner'
Proceeds for Victoria Park Renovations
WHAT'S
INSIDE
Annual fair
Rain doesn't stop
the fun
at Kirkton Fair
PAGE 1 6
Terry Fox Run
Participants head out
to MacNaughton
for annual run
PAGE 21
INDEX
Editorial 4
Sports 22
Announcements 26
Classifieds 29
TIMES ADVOCATE
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EXETER, ONTARIO
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TEL: 519-235-1331
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The RCMP charge into town
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Musical Ride a success —The grounds at the South Huron Rec Centre were packed last Thursday for the RCMP Musical Ride, which
featured a show during the day for local students and a show at night for the general public. Organizers were happy with the turnout,
estimating over 8,100 people attended through the course of the day.Above, the RCMP and their horses perform a "charge" towards
the end of their afternoon show. For more coverage, see pages 12- 13. (photo/Scott Nixon)
Hensall residents learn
about new water costs
By Pat Bolen
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
HENSALL — A full house at the Hensall Community Centre Sept. 10 finally heard
how much they will pay for the pipeline to bring water to the village, but left
unsatisfied with the lack of information provided on the GreenField Ethanol part of
the project.
Residents were told at the meeting they would have to make a lump sum pay-
ment of $8,840 by Dec. 31 or multiple payments over the next 20 years that would
amount to $15,120.
Bluewater Mayor Bill Dowson said the council felt the amount the residents
would pay is workable.
Steve Burns from B.M. Ross briefed the residents on the history of the project,
saying that prior to 2000 there was little regulation for water systems but in 2001
the province brought in regulations for studies of water facilities and wells.
Burns said after the studies were completed in Hensall they showed problems
such as inadequate disinfection and excessive nitrates, as well as demand exceed-
ing supply over the next 20 years and pumping and storage facilities needing
upgrades.
Three alternatives were proposed after the study that included nitrate treat-
ments, more wells or building a pipeline.
The latter option was accepted in a vote by Hensall residents.
Burns said the cost of the pipeline project was estimated in 2006 at $10,300,000
with the Hensall share to be $4,340,000.
Currently, the Hensall cost of the project is $11,270,000 with an Ontario Small
Town and Rural Development Infrastructure Initiative (OSTAR) grant of $520,000
and a Bluewater contribution of $270,000 from reserves as well as $6,680,000
from the GreenField Ethanol plant that was announced in April 2006.
With the funding, Burns said the remaining Hensall cost is $3,800,000 that will
be applied to the tax bills of 430 properties in the community for a term of 20
years at an interest rate of 5.05 per cent if the lump sum payment option isn't
taken.
Burns said all the amounts are approximate but are believed to be close and that
See WATER page 2
Usborne Central
could face closure
By Stew Slater
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE
SEAFORTH — Elementary schools on the outskirts
of two Huron County communities - Exeter and
Wingham - could face closure, following the initia-
tion of a new round of accommodation reviews by
the Avon Maitland District School Board.
At a regular meeting Sept. 9, trustees unanimous-
ly approved the establishment of two
Accommodation Review Committees (ARCs) — pub-
lic consultation committees charged with providing
information for use in a decision on changes. In an
interview after the meeting, newly -appointed edu-
cation superintendent Mike Ash identified June 9,
2009, as the earliest possible date for a final vote on
potential closure.
Citing a report prepared for the meeting, Ash told
trustees that, based on last year's numbers, "three
of the (board's) 44 elementary schools ... had load-
ings at or below 60 per cent. (And) using the 2008-
09 opening day enrolments ... three more schools"
have been added to that list. Of those six, one
(Victoria in Goderich) will be closed under the
provincial Education Ministry's "prohibitive to
repair" program and the rest were all mentioned as
possible targets for change in the Sept. 9 report.
In all, five school clusters were considered: South
Huron, North Central Huron, Perth East, Central
West Huron and the City of Stratford.
Romeo Public School sits below 60 per cent load-
ing, but Ash reminded trustees that, between 1999 -
See ACCOMMODATION page 2
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Hwy. #83, 280 Thames Rd. E., Exeter 519-235-1652 Toll Free: 1-866-285-5516